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இலங்கை கடற்படை தளபதிக்கு விருது: வைகோ கண்டனம்
இலங்கை கடற்படை தளபதிக்கு விருது: வைகோ கண்டனம்
சனிக்கிழமை, 25 ஒக்டோபர் 2014 14:12
இலங்கை கடற்படை தளபதி ஜயந்த பெரேராவுக்கு இந்திய கடற்படையின் வீர விருது கொடுக்கப்பட இருப்பதற்கு மறுமலர்ச்சி திராவிட முன்னேற்ற கழகத்தின் பொதுச்செயலர் வைகோ கடும் கண்டனம் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.
இதுகுறித்து அவர் வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிக்கையில்,
'உலகின் பூர்வகுடி மக்களான தமிழர்களின் நெடிய வரலாற்றில் தமிழ் இனத்துக்கு தற்போது ஏற்பட்டுள்ள துன்பமும் கேடும் போல இதுவரையில் நேர்ந்ததில்லை.
இலங்கைத் தீவில் எங்கள் தொப்புள் கொடி உறவுகளான தமிழர்கள் சிங்கள இனவாத அரசால் இலட்சக்கணக்கில் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டனர்.
எங்கள் தாய்மார்கள், சகோதரிகளின் கற்பு சூரையாடப்பட்டு, இராணுவத்தினரால் வதைத்துக் கொல்லப்பட்டனர். வயது முதிர்ந்தோர், குழந்தைகள், ஆயுதம் ஏந்தாத அப்பாவிகள் என எவரையும் விட்டுவைக்கவில்லை.
உலகம் தடை செய்த குண்டுகளை பயன்படுத்தி அழித்தனர். சனல்-4 தொலைக்காட்சி வெளியிட்ட ஆவணக் காணொளிகளில் நிரூபிக்கப்பட்ட படுகொலைக் காட்சிகள் மனிதாபிமானமுள்ளோர் இதயங்களை நடுங்கச் செய்தன.
இந்தத் தமிழ் இனப் படுகொலைக்கு, இந்திய ஐக்கிய முற்போக்குக் கூட்டணி அரசு உடந்தையாக செயற்பட்டு, கணக்கற்ற ஆயுதங்களை தந்து, இந்தியாவின் முப்படைத் தளபதிகளையும் அவ்வப்போது அனுப்பி வைத்து தமிழ் இனக்கொலை யுத்தத்தை இயக்கியது.
இந்தியாவின் முழு உதவியால்தான் நாங்கள் வெற்றிபெற்றோம் என்று இலங்கை ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ, இலங்கை நாடாளுமன்றத்திலேயே கூறினார்.
ஐ.நா. மனித உரிமைக் பேரவையில், இந்திய அரசு தமிழர்களுக்கு துரோகம் செய்தது. புதிய அரசு பொறுப்பேற்று ராஜபக்ஷவை இந்தியாவுக்கு வரவழைத்தபோதே அதை தடுப்பதற்காக நரேந்திர மோடியிடம் நான் எவ்வளவோ மன்றாடிப் பார்த்தேன்.
ஒக்டோபர் 9ஆம் திகதியன்று இந்தியாவின் இராணுவ அமைச்சுத்துறை செயலாளர் ஆர்.கே.மாத்தூர், மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷவை சந்தித்து இலங்கையிடம் இருந்துதான் நாங்கள் நிறையக் கற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டியிருக்கிறது என்று கூறியுள்ளார்.
பச்சைக் குழந்தைகளையும் கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்களையும் கொல்வதும், இளம் பெண்களைக் கற்பழித்துக் கொலை செய்வதும் இந்துக் கோவில்களைத் தாக்குவதும் மருத்துவமனைகள் மீது குண்டு வீசி நோயாளிகளைக் கொல்வதும் உலகம் தடை செய்த குண்டுகளை வீசி பொதுமக்களை பலியிடுவதும் இவையெல்லாம் இந்திய இராணுவம் இலங்கை இராணுவத்திடமிருந்து கற்றுக்கொள்ள வேண்டிய பாடங்களா?
இது மட்டுமல்ல, இலங்கை இராணுவ அதிகாரிகள் இந்தியாவுக்கு வந்து இங்குள்ள இராணுவத்தினருக்கு வகுப்பு நடத்தப் போகிறார்களாம்.
பயிற்சி கொடுக்கப் போகிறார்களாம். அதற்கும் ஏற்பாடாகியிருக்கிறது. இன்னொரு கொடுமை நடக்கப் போகிறது. இலங்கையினுடைய கடற்படையின் தளபதி ஜயந்த பெரேரா, புதுடெல்லிக்கு வரப்போகிறார்.
அவருக்கு 27ஆம் திகதி இந்தியக் கடற்படை வீர விருது மரியாதை செலுத்தப் போகிறதாம். எதற்காக? 578 தமிழக மீனவர்களைச் சுட்டுக் கொன்றதற்கா என்றும் அவர் வினவியுள்ளார்.
பாரத ரத்னா விருதா?
முன்னைய ஐக்கிய முற்போக்குக் கூட்டணி அரசு, தமிழர்களுக்கு எதிராக சிங்களவர்களுக்கு உதவியபோதும் ஒளிவு மறைவாக செய்தது. கடைசிக் கட்டத்தில் பயந்து பின்வாங்கியது.
ஆனால், பாரதிய ஜனதா அரசு, இலங்கை அரசாங்கத்துக்கு வெளிப்படையாகவே உதவுகிறது. அதனால்தான் பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சியைச் சேர்ந்த சுப்பிரமணிய சுவாமி, தமிழ் இனத்தை அழித்தவருக்கு பாரத ரத்னா விருது கொடுக்க வேண்டும் என்று பகிரங்கமாகச் சொல்ல முடிகிறது.
ஜனதா கட்சியைச் சேர்ந்த சுப்பிரமணிய சுவாமியால், மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷவுக்கு பாரத ரத்னா விருது கொடுக்க வேண்டும் என்று பகிரங்கமாகச் சொல்ல முடிகிறது. எங்கள் நெஞ்சம் கொதிக்கிறது. ஜாலியன் வாலாபாக்கிலே படுகொலை நடத்தினானே ஜென்ரல் டயர் அவனுக்கு பாரத ரத்னா விருது கொடுக்கச் சொன்னால் எப்படியோ!
அதுபோன்றதுதான் ராஜபக்ஷவுக்கு விருது கொடுக்கச் சொல்வது. இப்படிச் சொன்னதற்கு பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சியின் தலைமையோ, பிரதமரோ இதுவரை கண்டித்தார்களா? இல்லை. அவரது தனிப்பட்ட கருத்து என்று சொல்லி பொறுப்பைத் தட்டிக் கழிக்க முடியாது.
வெந்த புண்ணில் வேல் வீசுகிறது இந்திய அரசு. மான உணர்ச்சி தமிழ்நாட்டில் அழிந்துவிடவில்லை. அது அழியாது. அது ஆயிரங்காலத்துப் பயிர். அதனால்தான் முத்துக்குமார்கள் தீக்குளித்து மடிந்தார்கள். பொதுபாலசேனா உள்ளிட்ட சிங்கள தீவிரவாத அமைப்புகள் 'இஸ்லாமியர்களை எதிர்ப்போம்' என்ற முழக்கத்தை முன்வைத்து வன்முறையில் ஈடுபடுகிறார்கள்.
இஸ்லாமிய பள்ளிவாசல்களையும், கிறித்தவ தேவாலயங்களையும் இந்துக் கோவில்களையும் தாக்குகிறார்கள். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான இந்துக் கோவில்கள், சிவன் கோவில், முருகன் கோவில், காளி கோவில் என ஈழத்தில் நொறுக்கப்பட்டனவே என்றும் அவர் சுட்டிக்காட்டினார்.
31 Egyptian Soldiers Are Killed as Militants Attack in Sinai
31 Egyptian Soldiers Are Killed as Militants Attack in Sinai
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK OCT. 24, 2014
EL ALAMEIN, Egypt — Two attacks on Egyptian military positions in the Sinai Peninsula on Friday killed at least 31 soldiers, according to security officials and the state news media.
The first attack killed at least 28 soldiers, making it the deadliest assault on the Egyptian military in many years and the biggest defeat in its 15-month battle against Sinai-based Islamist militants that began with the military’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013. At least 28 others were wounded, the state news media said.
The scale of the attack underscored the difficult challenge the Egyptian government continues to face in re-establishing firm control of northern Sinai, near the border with Israel and the Gaza Strip. Egyptian officials have said repeatedly that they have largely contained the insurgency there, but the complexity of Friday’s attack, said to involve multiple vehicles and heavy weapons, suggested that the militants were growing more sophisticated.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who led the military takeover last year, convened an emergency meeting of Egypt’s top generals in response to the attack. He declared a state of emergency in parts of Sinai, including a curfew from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
In Washington, Jen Psaki, a State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that “the United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack.” She added, “The United States continues to support the Egyptian government’s efforts to counter the threat of terrorism in Egypt as part of our commitment to the strategic partnership between our two countries.”
The first, larger attack took place about 2 p.m. Friday near the town of Sheikh Zuwaid, a hub of Islamist militancy where insurgents sometimes set up their own temporary checkpoints on the highways. The target of the attack was a heavily guarded army checkpoint at a desert-road intersection known as Karm al Qawadis, where the military typically keeps six armored vehicles, two tanks and a tent camp, residents said.
Unlike most previous attacks, this one was carried out in two stages. A car bomb initially killed as many as 18 soldiers, according to residents and security officials. Then, when soldiers rushed to the scene, armed men on foot and in a vehicle opened fired, killing at least 10 more.
A Sinai official told The Associated Press that the militants used rocket-propelled grenades, among other weapons. A mortar round set off a second explosion by striking a tank containing explosives and ammunition.
The second attack occurred about three hours later, in the nearby town of El Arish, the provincial capital, according to the Egyptian state media. Militants opened fired on a military checkpoint there and killed three more soldiers.
Western diplomats briefed on intelligence reports have said privately for weeks that the level of anti government violence in northern Sinai was rising again, despite the contrary claims of Egyptian officials. Attacks by militants in Sinai have killed hundreds of soldiers and police officers since last year’s takeover, and including Friday’s attacks the militants have killed more than 40 this week alone, according to the Egyptian state media.
Militants have also continued to set off bombs periodically in Cairo. An explosion this week near Cairo University wounded at least 11 people — six of them security officers. A bomb outside the Foreign Ministry late last month killed two police officers.
=============
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK OCT. 24, 2014
EL ALAMEIN, Egypt — Two attacks on Egyptian military positions in the Sinai Peninsula on Friday killed at least 31 soldiers, according to security officials and the state news media.
The first attack killed at least 28 soldiers, making it the deadliest assault on the Egyptian military in many years and the biggest defeat in its 15-month battle against Sinai-based Islamist militants that began with the military’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013. At least 28 others were wounded, the state news media said.
The scale of the attack underscored the difficult challenge the Egyptian government continues to face in re-establishing firm control of northern Sinai, near the border with Israel and the Gaza Strip. Egyptian officials have said repeatedly that they have largely contained the insurgency there, but the complexity of Friday’s attack, said to involve multiple vehicles and heavy weapons, suggested that the militants were growing more sophisticated.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who led the military takeover last year, convened an emergency meeting of Egypt’s top generals in response to the attack. He declared a state of emergency in parts of Sinai, including a curfew from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
In Washington, Jen Psaki, a State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that “the United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack.” She added, “The United States continues to support the Egyptian government’s efforts to counter the threat of terrorism in Egypt as part of our commitment to the strategic partnership between our two countries.”
The first, larger attack took place about 2 p.m. Friday near the town of Sheikh Zuwaid, a hub of Islamist militancy where insurgents sometimes set up their own temporary checkpoints on the highways. The target of the attack was a heavily guarded army checkpoint at a desert-road intersection known as Karm al Qawadis, where the military typically keeps six armored vehicles, two tanks and a tent camp, residents said.
Unlike most previous attacks, this one was carried out in two stages. A car bomb initially killed as many as 18 soldiers, according to residents and security officials. Then, when soldiers rushed to the scene, armed men on foot and in a vehicle opened fired, killing at least 10 more.
A Sinai official told The Associated Press that the militants used rocket-propelled grenades, among other weapons. A mortar round set off a second explosion by striking a tank containing explosives and ammunition.
The second attack occurred about three hours later, in the nearby town of El Arish, the provincial capital, according to the Egyptian state media. Militants opened fired on a military checkpoint there and killed three more soldiers.
Western diplomats briefed on intelligence reports have said privately for weeks that the level of anti government violence in northern Sinai was rising again, despite the contrary claims of Egyptian officials. Attacks by militants in Sinai have killed hundreds of soldiers and police officers since last year’s takeover, and including Friday’s attacks the militants have killed more than 40 this week alone, according to the Egyptian state media.
Militants have also continued to set off bombs periodically in Cairo. An explosion this week near Cairo University wounded at least 11 people — six of them security officers. A bomb outside the Foreign Ministry late last month killed two police officers.
=============
Sri Lanka hires up in Washington amid war crimes probe
U.S. Congress newspaper "The Hill"
(It is written for and about the U.S. Congress, with a special focus on business and lobbying, political campaigns and other events on Capitol Hill.)
By Megan R. Wilson - 10/23/14 05:42 PM EDT
The government of Sri Lanka has hired its eighth Washington firm this year as it awaits the results of a United Nations human rights investigation into alleged war crimes.
Levick is subcontracting through Liberty International Group, a government affairs firm owned by former Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.), to represent the semi-autonomous central bank of Sri Lanka.
“Levick’s mission is to utilize communications supported advocacy to tell Sri Lanka’s amazing story of recovery after a decades long civil war against a brutal terrorist organization, as well as to assist the Central Bank in communicating opportunities for trade and investment between our two nations,” Mark Irion, president of Levick, said in a statement to The Hill.
The work by Levick will include “outreach to US media, opinion leaders and possibly US officials concerning issues of importance to the client, including assisting in establishing additional relations between the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the United States Government,” according to disclosure documents posted on Thursday.
Mack, who now also works at Levick, originally signed up the central bank as a client in August.
Contract documents say the representation is needed because “the current international media focus on Sri Lanka is unbalanced,” according to disclosures by Liberty International Group to the Justice Department under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).
The contract with Liberty International Group — set to last from August 2014 to the end of next July — is worth $760,000. Levick is charging a monthly retainer of $60,000, according to the subcontract.
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has hired six Washington firms since May, including R&R Partners, Madison Group and Beltway Government Strategies.
The United Nations Human Rights Council voted in March to investigate the Sri Lankan government and the opposing rebel group, the Tamil Tigers, for allegations of committing war crimes during a civil war that ended in 2009.
Leaders in Sri Lanka had strongly opposed the U.N. resolution, saying that it was “politically motivated.”
The United States had been a leading proponent of the resolutions, calling for accountability in the wake of the civil war that waged for nearly three decades, in which at least 100,000 people died and both sides are alleged to have committed atrocities. During the final months of the conflict, the government allegedly killed thousands of civilians — a charge it disputes.
“It is necessary to have a re-calibration of US policy, based on a wider and fairer information base, leading to a multi-dimensional and more balanced engagement with Sri Lanka,” according to FARA documents filed by Liberty International Group in August.
Sri Lanka’s central bank considers the media’s coverage of Sri Lanka “unfair, unwarranted, and overshadows the impressive post-war socio-economic achievements of Sri Lanka and also could undermine the long term US political geo-strategic and economic interests,” the disclosure says.
In addition to the main firms Sri Lanka has on retainer, Beltway Government Strategies has sub-contracts with three other firms: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Vigilant Worldwide Communications and Burson-Marsteller.
In disclosure forms, those firms said they would be reaching out “to members of Congress and State Department officials with the purpose of raising situational awareness of Sri Lanka and its strategic importance to the United States” and “[laying] the groundwork to promote Sri Lanka as a business and travel destination.”
The Embassy of Sri Lanka also signed with the Majority Group, which was formed by Rob Ellsworth and former Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho), last year.
The government of Sri Lanka had been previously represented by Patton Boggs, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Qorvis Communications and others. Thompson Advisory Group had previously represented Sri Lanka’s central bank.
புலித் தடை நீக்கம்! மேன்முறையீடு செய், ரணில் முழக்கம்!!
விடுதலைப் புலிகள் மீதான தடை நீக்கம்! மேன்முறையீடு செய்யுமாறு ரணில் கோரிக்கை
[ ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை, 26 ஒக்ரோபர் 2014, 02:05.58 PM GMT ]
ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றிய நீதிமன்றத்தில் தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள் மீதான தடை நீக்கத்துக்கு எதிராக இலங்கை அரசாங்கத்தினால் மேன்முறையீட்டை மேற்கொள்ள முடியும். எனினும் அரசாங்கம் எவ்வித மேன்முறையீட்டையும் மேற்கொள்ள முனையவில்லை என்று எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க குற்றம் சுமத்தியுள்ளார்.
கொழும்பில் இன்று இடம்பெற்ற நிகழ்வு ஒன்றில் உரையாற்றிய ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க,
ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றிய நீதிமன்றத்தில் விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் தடை நீக்கத்துக்கு எதிராக மேன்முறையீடு செய்ய அரசாங்கம் துணியாத போது ஐரோப்பாவில் உள்ள விடுதலைப் புலிகளின் பெருமளவு சொத்துக்கள் மீண்டும் கே.பி குழுவுக்கு சென்றடைந்து விடும்.
எனவே அரசாங்கம், ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றிய நீதிமன்றத்தில் விடுதலைப்புலி தடை நீக்கத்துக்கு எதிரான மேன்முறையீட்டை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க கோரிக்கை விடுத்தார்.
எனினும் ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றியத்தில் உறுப்புரிமை இல்லாமையால் குறித்த மேன்முறையீட்டை அரசாங்கத்தினால் நேரடியாக மேற்கொள்ள முடியாது என்று இலங்கை அரசாங்கம் கூறிவருவதையும் ரணில் சுட்டிக்காட்டியுள்ளார்.
இதேவேளை இலங்கையின் சார்பில் குறித்த மேன்முறையீட்டை செய்யுமாறு ஐரோப்பிய ஒன்றிய பிரதிநிதியிடம் கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளதாகவும் ரணில் விக்கிரமசிங்க கூறினார்.
Monday, October 27, 2014
2015 Sri Lankan Budget bag-full of election goodies
2015 Sri Lankan Budget bag-full of election goodies
The Sunday times Sri Lanka
By Bandula Sirimanna
With the Presidential election around the corner, Treasury officials headed by Dr. P.B.Jayasundera are fine-tuning the 2015 Budget on the directions of the President enabling him to unveil it in Parliament in two weeks.
Officials of the Department of National Budget and Department of Treasury Operations are under pressure in compiling final amendments to the draft Budget estimates, annexure and tables as well as making direct and indirect tax revisions to find money for election goodies.
The Treasury has to incur a sum of over Rs. 120 billion to increase the salary of public sector employees and the officials of National Budget Department were burning the midnight oil to meet the expenses for the salary hike and other concessions to be granted to the people in the 2015 budget.
The possibility of revising the salary of government servants numbering 1.3 million is also under consideration on recommendations made by the National Pay Commission appointed by the President in November 2013, informed sources said. According to Treasury estimates the total revenue receipts and grants amounts to Rs. 1,713 billion. The Appropriation Bill presented in Parliament last week estimates the total government expenditure for 2015 at Rs.1.812 trillion.
The President is expected to deliver his budget speech onTuesday, October 21st. But this date will be confirmed after his traditional consultation with astrologers and its finalisation at the party leaders meeting in parliament scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, high ranking government sources revealed.
The Government is focusing on the Medium Term Budgetary Framework 2015 – 2017 mainly to ensure development by creating more livelihood and employment opportunities, food security, energy security and environmental safety with particular emphasis on low income and poor families, these sources said.
The 2015 budget accords high priority to defence and urban development, education, drinking water in districts which are below the national average in social development, health, employment opportunities, basic infrastructure facilities and economic indices.
It has been planned to reduce the budget deficit to 4.4 per cent and increase the economic growth rate to 8.2 per cent during next year. In 2015, government investment is expected to be increased to 6.5 per cent of the GDP and maintain inflation at 5.5 per cent. As a percentage of the GDP the current government debt which is around 75 per cent is expected to be reduced to 71 percent.
Treasury officials made clear that government borrowings both locally and internationally including the raising of bonds overseas through state owned banks will be utilised for infrastructure development projects and improvement of the rural economy as well as to bridge the budget deficit and service foreign debt.
With the aim of winning the confidence of rural voters, the 2015 budget will make some populist announcements including a new crackdown on tax evasion with punitive fines, revision of corporate tax, streamlining the revenue collection process and provide concessions for farmers, fishermen, self-employed and small businesses.
With a drought affecting many farmers, the government will direct banks to suspend interest payments and delay loan recoveries under a special loan rescheduling scheme.
Under the initiative of protecting local producers and promoting import substitution, the commodity levy and cess on essential items, including maize, onions, potatoes and dairy products will be increased. Concessions will also be provided to improve the poultry industry encouraging exports.
Sri Lanka Chamber welcomes budget 2015
Sri Lanka Chamber welcomes budget 2015
27 Oct, 2014 16:00:48
Oct 27, 2014 (LBO) –Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the ‘National Budget of 2015’ which is presented to the parliament last week, the chamber said in a media release.
The Media Release by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the commitment to continued fiscal consolidation in the Budget 2015, particularly the projected lowering of the deficit to 4.6%, which is supportive of macroeconomic stability.
Whilst there is a proposed 15% increase in government expenditure, given the slack in demand in the market recently, a degree of fiscal stimulus can be accommodated without substantial over-heating of the economy.
However, the Chamber encourages the authorities to act quickly and decisively if there are signs of significant deviation from the government’s commendable targets for inflation and the current account of the balance of payments.
Given the proposed changes in VAT, NBT and PAYE taxes and the fact that nearly two-thirds of the proposed new revenue for 2015 has been estimated to come from the refinance facility for collection of tax arrears, meeting the proposed revenue targets may remain a challenge.
It is encouraging to note the gradual shift in the nature of tax incentives away from blanket, long-term tax holidays towards alternatives that are more targeted, such as accelerated depreciation, tax holidays with defined time horizons, and tax concessions that are directly linked to the amount and type of new investments undertaken.
The Chamber welcomes the new initiatives to better link revenue and other state agencies and stronger integration of ICT in revenue collection.
It also supports the proposal to have a one-stop-shop service center at Sri Lanka Customs, which will contribute to improved trade facilitation. These measures will improve the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka, which is often more important than granting tax concessions.
The Chamber acknowledges the positive measures which have already been undertaken to promote exports, including entering into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
However, realizing the full potential of these would not be possible without a concerted effort at improving Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness. In this connection, we cannot overstate the importance of encouraging export-oriented foreign direct investment (FDI) into Sri Lanka.
The reduction of electricity tariffs is welcome given that high energy prices are a key factor affecting competitiveness of Sri Lankan enterprises. Moving forward, the Chamber recommends the implementation of a transparent and market-reflective energy pricing mechanism, rather than ad-hoc adjustments.
We also recommend that attention is placed on addressing the quality of electricity supply, particularly issues of power brown-outs and fluctuations, and efficiently meeting the emerging needs of industries.
The Chamber is encouraged by the increased attention to education contained in the Budget 2015, and its emphasis on strengthening Sri Lanka’s potential as a knowledge economy.
The Chamber particularly welcomes the proposals to invest a further Rs. 15 billion in school laboratories; to introduce a scheme of school-based teacher recruitment; to expand skill development and vocational training; and to establish new faculties and degree programmes in science, technology, management and multi-disciplinary studies across several universities in the country.
The Chamber observes that while many of the spending proposals on education are focussed on enhancing access and affordability, a stronger focus on improving the quality and relevance of education at all levels is a critical pre-requisite to increase productivity and competitiveness in order to achieve the ‘Vision 2020’. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of taking a pragmatic approach of public, mixed and private provision of education, training and skills development.
Measures for further public investment in irrigation and reservoir development contained in the budget are welcome, particularly in light of difficulties faced by communities across Sri Lanka during the recent drought.
Additionally, the proposal to improve the availability of water in areas affected by the kidney disease ‘CKDu’ will contribute to the longer-term health and well-being of these communities, which in turn strengthens their economic potential.
Given the changing demography of Sri Lanka’s population and the associated challenges in expanding social safety nets, the Chamber recognises the need for introducing pension schemes as envisaged in recent budgets including Budget 2015.
However, the Chamber cautions against pension systems that are non-contributory and that are occupation-specific, as they could lead to fragmented schemes that experience difficulty in making steady payments, and are expensive and unwieldy to administer. A pension scheme that is professionally managed and sufficiently robust to meet the financial obligations of an ageing population is desired. While recognizing the hardships faced by senior citizens in a low interest environment, we urge the authorities to exercise caution in implementing the proposal for offering a 12% interest on deposits in state banks, to avoid creating distortions that could have a negative impact on the financial sector. Moving forward, the financial needs of senior citizens should be addressed through the development of pension products.
While substantial new financial allocations have been made for various government institutions and development programmes, the Chamber emphasizes the need to accompany them with reform of the operating structures of the institutions utilizing these funds so that the envisaged outcomes can be better realized.
Overall, while acknowledging that any budget must be seen in a policy continuum, and is one in a series of ongoing measures to reach national economic goals, the Chamber observes that the proposals contained in the Budget 2015 must be complemented with measures that help achieve the economic transformation envisaged by the government in its ‘Vision 2020’ and ‘Five Hubs’ strategies.
To achieve this transformation it is also important to avoid the current over-emphasis on subsidies and welfare transfers that have the unintended consequence of keeping people in low productivity and low income-generating economic activities.
Finally, the Chamber encourages the initiation of work towards an accrual-based accounting system for government finances, with a view to full implementation by the year 2020, in line with best practices adopted by other middle-income countries.
27 Oct, 2014 16:00:48
Oct 27, 2014 (LBO) –Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the ‘National Budget of 2015’ which is presented to the parliament last week, the chamber said in a media release.
The Media Release by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the commitment to continued fiscal consolidation in the Budget 2015, particularly the projected lowering of the deficit to 4.6%, which is supportive of macroeconomic stability.
Whilst there is a proposed 15% increase in government expenditure, given the slack in demand in the market recently, a degree of fiscal stimulus can be accommodated without substantial over-heating of the economy.
However, the Chamber encourages the authorities to act quickly and decisively if there are signs of significant deviation from the government’s commendable targets for inflation and the current account of the balance of payments.
Given the proposed changes in VAT, NBT and PAYE taxes and the fact that nearly two-thirds of the proposed new revenue for 2015 has been estimated to come from the refinance facility for collection of tax arrears, meeting the proposed revenue targets may remain a challenge.
It is encouraging to note the gradual shift in the nature of tax incentives away from blanket, long-term tax holidays towards alternatives that are more targeted, such as accelerated depreciation, tax holidays with defined time horizons, and tax concessions that are directly linked to the amount and type of new investments undertaken.
The Chamber welcomes the new initiatives to better link revenue and other state agencies and stronger integration of ICT in revenue collection.
It also supports the proposal to have a one-stop-shop service center at Sri Lanka Customs, which will contribute to improved trade facilitation. These measures will improve the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka, which is often more important than granting tax concessions.
The Chamber acknowledges the positive measures which have already been undertaken to promote exports, including entering into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
However, realizing the full potential of these would not be possible without a concerted effort at improving Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness. In this connection, we cannot overstate the importance of encouraging export-oriented foreign direct investment (FDI) into Sri Lanka.
The reduction of electricity tariffs is welcome given that high energy prices are a key factor affecting competitiveness of Sri Lankan enterprises. Moving forward, the Chamber recommends the implementation of a transparent and market-reflective energy pricing mechanism, rather than ad-hoc adjustments.
We also recommend that attention is placed on addressing the quality of electricity supply, particularly issues of power brown-outs and fluctuations, and efficiently meeting the emerging needs of industries.
The Chamber is encouraged by the increased attention to education contained in the Budget 2015, and its emphasis on strengthening Sri Lanka’s potential as a knowledge economy.
The Chamber particularly welcomes the proposals to invest a further Rs. 15 billion in school laboratories; to introduce a scheme of school-based teacher recruitment; to expand skill development and vocational training; and to establish new faculties and degree programmes in science, technology, management and multi-disciplinary studies across several universities in the country.
The Chamber observes that while many of the spending proposals on education are focussed on enhancing access and affordability, a stronger focus on improving the quality and relevance of education at all levels is a critical pre-requisite to increase productivity and competitiveness in order to achieve the ‘Vision 2020’. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of taking a pragmatic approach of public, mixed and private provision of education, training and skills development.
Measures for further public investment in irrigation and reservoir development contained in the budget are welcome, particularly in light of difficulties faced by communities across Sri Lanka during the recent drought.
Additionally, the proposal to improve the availability of water in areas affected by the kidney disease ‘CKDu’ will contribute to the longer-term health and well-being of these communities, which in turn strengthens their economic potential.
Given the changing demography of Sri Lanka’s population and the associated challenges in expanding social safety nets, the Chamber recognises the need for introducing pension schemes as envisaged in recent budgets including Budget 2015.
However, the Chamber cautions against pension systems that are non-contributory and that are occupation-specific, as they could lead to fragmented schemes that experience difficulty in making steady payments, and are expensive and unwieldy to administer. A pension scheme that is professionally managed and sufficiently robust to meet the financial obligations of an ageing population is desired. While recognizing the hardships faced by senior citizens in a low interest environment, we urge the authorities to exercise caution in implementing the proposal for offering a 12% interest on deposits in state banks, to avoid creating distortions that could have a negative impact on the financial sector. Moving forward, the financial needs of senior citizens should be addressed through the development of pension products.
While substantial new financial allocations have been made for various government institutions and development programmes, the Chamber emphasizes the need to accompany them with reform of the operating structures of the institutions utilizing these funds so that the envisaged outcomes can be better realized.
Overall, while acknowledging that any budget must be seen in a policy continuum, and is one in a series of ongoing measures to reach national economic goals, the Chamber observes that the proposals contained in the Budget 2015 must be complemented with measures that help achieve the economic transformation envisaged by the government in its ‘Vision 2020’ and ‘Five Hubs’ strategies.
To achieve this transformation it is also important to avoid the current over-emphasis on subsidies and welfare transfers that have the unintended consequence of keeping people in low productivity and low income-generating economic activities.
Finally, the Chamber encourages the initiation of work towards an accrual-based accounting system for government finances, with a view to full implementation by the year 2020, in line with best practices adopted by other middle-income countries.
Foreign direct investment in to Sri Lanka doubles to US442mn in 1Q
Foreign direct investment in to Sri Lanka doubles to US442mn in 1Q
29 May, 2014 12:31:17
May 29, 2014 (LBO) - Foreign direct investments into Sri Lanka doubled from a year earlier to 442 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2014, investment promotion minister Lakshman Abeywardena said.
He said 36 percent of the investments came into tourism, 26 percent into utilities, 15 percent into infrastructure, 7 percent into industry and 4 percent into apparel.
In the first quarter 40 new projects were approved, and 38 agreements signed.
During the first quarter 27 have begun construction and 26 firms have started operations, Abeywardena said.
In 2013 Sri Lanka had attracted 1,398 million US dollars worth investments.
This year Sri Lanka is expecting 1.5 billion US dollars Minister Abeywardena said.
Sri Lanka outlines 12% defence budget increase
Sri Lanka outlines 12% defence budget increase
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
28 September 2014
The Sri Lankan government proposed on 26 September a 2015 defence budget of LKR 285 billion (USD2.18 billion), a 12% increase over military spending in 2014.
The allocation - contained in the government's 2015 appropriation bill - amounts to about 16% of the total expenditure for the year and about 2% of national GDP.
The government provided no comment or supporting information about the defence budget, although unidentified official sources cited in local media said the increase was the first step of a drive to boost the defence budget to LKR370 billion by 2017.
ANALYSIS
While this pledged increase is significant, Sri Lanka's military will not be the sole beneficiary of investment.
*******************************************************************************
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
28 September 2014
The Sri Lankan government proposed on 26 September a 2015 defence budget of LKR 285 billion (USD2.18 billion), a 12% increase over military spending in 2014.
The allocation - contained in the government's 2015 appropriation bill - amounts to about 16% of the total expenditure for the year and about 2% of national GDP.
The government provided no comment or supporting information about the defence budget, although unidentified official sources cited in local media said the increase was the first step of a drive to boost the defence budget to LKR370 billion by 2017.
ANALYSIS
While this pledged increase is significant, Sri Lanka's military will not be the sole beneficiary of investment.
*******************************************************************************
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